How to Make Sure Your Interface ODB Is Working

Checking the OBD's function regularly is essential to ensure passengers' safety.

OBD stands for on-board diagnostics and refers to the automatic system allowing the car to detect and report problems with the engine. An OBD interface comprises the computer detecting problems with the car engine and the "Service Engine Soon" or "Check Engine" lights on the dashboard that notify the driver of problems. However, as with every car part, the OBD interface may experience malfunctions. And even though your engine may have a problem, you will not be able to see it on the dashboard. When you suspect something is wrong with the engine, there is a quick method to determine whether the OBD is working properly or not.

Things You'll Need

• OBD II scanner -- available at auto parts stores

Instructions

1. Turn on the car engine and check your dashboard. The "Service Engine Soon" or "Check Engine" lights must turn on for a couple of seconds and then turn back off. If the lights do not turn on at all, or if you are certain there is a problem with your engine yet they don't remain lit, then the OBD interface is not working properly.

2. Equip your vehicle with an OBD II scanner, if it does not already have one installed. Every car built after January 1, 1996 features an OBD-II system.

3. Plug the scanner on the OBD port over the driver's pedals. Make sure the engine is turned on -- or at least, the key is turned to the "On" position of the ignition.

4. Press the "Read" or "Scan" button on your OBD II scanner. If the scanner gives you a code, it means that the engine has a problem that the failing OBD interface could not report on your dashboard. Visit the "OBD II Code Info" or "OBD Trouble Codes" websites, and enter the code the scanner gave you to determine the engine's problem.

5. Seek professional help when it is evident from the car's symptoms that the engine is not working properly, but the OBD II scanner does not give you a trouble code. On this occasion, the malfunction would be on the OBD system's computer, which cannot detect engine troubles in the first place.

References

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: On-Board Diagnostics (OBD)
• The OBD II Homepage: OBD-II Background

Resources

• OBD II Code Info
• OBD-Codes.com